Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Just purchased from a Pacific War collector at a military show! This hand painted silk flag is marked with battle quotes such as "Banzai", and "Good Luck for bravery". It also has a multitude of different signatures and phrases, some written in "Grass Writing", or Japanese cursive script. The top is marked with 久 長 ? 武 ?, which is similar to the usual "May your military fortunes be long lasting" message. Two of the characters are not ones that we recognize, represented by question marks.

The flag is signed with the names of many friends and family. It measures approximately 27" x 38", and is made of delicate silk cloth, with the red "sun" dyed into the middle. Flag is in good service used condition and is the real deal: a genuine USGI "bring back"! 

The flag has definitely seen quite a bit of weather and use, indicated by he many stains and wear to the fabric. There are numerous small holes, as well as some tearing, particularly near the lower right hanging tie, which has almost torn away from the rest of the flag. Parts are definitely in very delicate condition.

However, the huge amount of writing on this makes it an incredible collector's item, as well as a great research and translation project. This would display perfectly under a glass table, or on the wall. This flag has a worn look that is impossible to duplicate.

Ready to display!

The Good Luck Flag, known as hinomaru yosegaki (日の丸 寄せ書き) in the Japanese language, was a traditional gift for Japanese servicemen deployed during the military campaigns of the Empire of Japan, though most notably during World War II. The flag given to a soldier was a national flag signed by friends and family, often with short messages wishing the soldier victory, safety, and good luck.

The Japanese call their country's flag hinomaru, which translates literally to "sun-round", referencing the red circle on a white field. When the hinomaru was signed, the Japanese characters were usually written vertically, and radiated outward from the edge of the red circle. This practice is referenced in the second term, yosegaki, meaning "sideways-writing". The phrase hinomaru-yosegaki can be interpreted as "To write sideways around the red sun", describing the appearance of the signed flag. This particular example completely unique is written in old KANJI the writing are mainly Japanese names of this soldier's family and friends with quotes and phrases.